The Spanish was seeking Benat due to his alleged membership of pro independence Basque youth group, Jarrai. The judge said that there was lack of specific details about attendance at meetings, interviews or other evidence that Mr Arteaga was in Jarrai.
Jarrai were deemed ‘illegal’ by the Spanish Supreme court in 2005 and deemed ‘terrorist‘ in 2007, as was the current pro independence youth movement, Segi.
Although the warrant claimed the wanted man carried out violent and coercive actions from 1994 to 2000, Judge Burgess held there was no reference to dates, locations or targets of any alleged attacks which would allow anyone to link them to him.
The warrant claimed that Benat had been a member of Jarrai in 2000, yet it wasn’t until 2005 that it was deemed ‘illegal’.
Explaining his case, Benat said that he had always worked "politically, peacefully and publicly" in defence of Basque rights, and he criticised the way the Spanish dealt with these kind of political cases, which is not the right way and breach any kind of principles.
"Not just myself, but many different lawyers and international bodies, year after year, have been calling attention to the Spanish authorities to improve on matters of human rights and judicial rights for any legal cases relating to the Basque conflict."
Welcoming the news was Ógra Shinn Féin Uladh international officer Barry McNally. Speaking following the news McNally said:
“I welcome this decision to throw this case out of court. This case was flawed right from the outset. It also demonstrates the lengths that the Spanish will go to in order imprison and torture members of the pro independence movement.
“It is clear that this case was being pursued because of Benats political persuasion. It brings to an end the nightmare which he has faced since he was arrested on 22 April. On behalf of Ógra I would like to pass on our best wishes to Benat. Similarly we hope that today’s ruling will pave the way for the case of Iñaki de Juana being dealt with in a similar manner.
“Only last weekend we in Ógra welcomed representatives from Basque youth movement Segi to our annual congress. At that event they again highlighted the repression and torture which is ongoing in the Basque country. Indeed just last week more young people were imprisoned in the Basque Country for alleged membership of youth group Segi.
“Given that the left independence movement have within days tried to reestablishment a peace process in the Basque country we in Ógra call for an end to these political persecutions. Furthermore we call for the Spanish to engage in meaningful dialogue with the pro independence movement to help develop a peace process in the Basque country.
2 comments:
I bet some parts of the Republican movement will be gutted. No opportunity to be outraged by another perceived miscarriage of colonialist British crown justice. Don't ya just hate it when that happens?
catch a grip keith. if you had half an ounce of sense you would know otherwise.
as if we need another miscarriage of justice to campaign on
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